LEXINGTON, S.C. (Oct. 6, 2011) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, has established a robust infrastructure of 76 service centers to strategically support shipment processing throughout the Sunbelt, providing customers with reliable on-time delivery for more than 99 percent of all next-day shipments.

Southeastern’s reliability is rooted in its long term strategy to build a robust network of service centers that meet future facility requirements, preventing any "choke points” in the system that would delay rapid delivery of freight.

Businesses are more focused than ever on establishing regional distribution centers to get their goods to market as quickly as possible, optimizing inventory levels and elevating the need for next day delivery. Southeastern’s strategy is to monitor shipping trends and plan a decade or more ahead to acquire land for service centers where future capacity needs are projected.

"Companies are positioning their products closer to their clients. As the carrier partner for our customers, our regional focus in the Sunbelt is providing reliable and rapid delivery that is necessary to support our customers’ evolving business needs,” said Mike Heaton, a Southeastern senior vice president.

Southeastern’s investment in this infrastructure ensures an adequate number of dock doors and parking spaces at each service center to prevent choke points, which occur when space limitations prevent freight from being processed in a timely manner. The company’s unrivaled customer service measurements for on-time delivery and extremely low number of claims are a testament to the importance of dense freight volumes and adequate capacity for more direct loading.

"The Sunbelt has seen immense population growth over the last few decades, and that trend continues today,” Heaton said. "By analyzing trends and shipment volumes, we’re able to develop long-range plans to determine future facility requirements and achieve our goal of avoiding choke points at all costs.”

Southeastern’s direct loading capabilities far exceed the industry average and are stronger than any other LTL competitor. With 76 service centers across the Southeast, almost two-thirds of all freight for Southeastern customers is transferred directly from the original location to the destination location – rather than having to go through mid-point consolidation centers. Direct loading adds speed to shipping times and decreases the number of damage claims.

In large metropolitan areas, a key to achieving these measures of success is having multiple service centers strategically located to address traffic flow challenges. In Atlanta, for example, Southeastern has three service centers in suburbs surrounding the city. Earlier this year, Southeastern opened a second service center in Charlotte, N.C. with 122 doors.

About Southeastern Freight LinesSoutheastern Freight Lines, a privately-owned regional less-than-truckload transportation services provider founded in 1950, specializes in next-day service in the Southeast and Southwest and operates 76 service centers in 12 states and Puerto Rico. Southeastern has a network of service partners to ensure transportation services in the remaining 38 states, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Mexico. Southeastern Freight Lines provides more than 99.35% on-time service in next day lanes. A dedication to service quality and a continuous quality improvement process that began in 1985 has been recognized by more than 300 quality awards received from customers and associations. Southeastern Freight Lines subsidiary, Southeastern Logistics Solutions, provides expedited service and multi-modal transportation services across the nation through strategic capacity partnerships. For more information, please visit http://www.sefl.comand http://www.facebook.com/SoutheasternFreight.